Six golds go to five Striders

From staff reports

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Brayden Harris won two gold medals and four other members of the Juniata Striders were first in their respective events and age groups as the team qualified a number of athletes to advance in 36 events at the USATF Mid-Atlantic Association track and field meet Saturday.

Coach Ron Sprecher said more than 90 percent of the entrants put forth a personal best effort in touch competition.

“Harris was brilliant running 9:23.15 in the 3,000 and 4:17.85 in the 1,500,” he said. “Noah Shepherd pulled a big upset beating Payton Teavaras in the 800 meters.”

Harris competes in the 13-14 boys age group. Shepherd, also in 13-14 boys, ran a 2:17.15 in that event to win, and also got a third-place in javelin, fifth in the 1,500 and sixth in the 3,000.

Quentin Houtz won the 8 and under boys 1,500 run in 6:09;78, and was third in the 800 and the long jump. In the same age group, Layla Fetzer won the girls mini-javelin (9.61 meters) and was second in the long jump. Justice Sheaffer won at age 11-12 throwing the Aero javelin 22.80 meters, and was second in the shot put.

Other runners-up were long jumper Kiana Sechler and Josiah Sechler in both the javelin and the long jump; he also ran the 400-meter dash. Kiana Sechler also was third in the triple jump. Evan Shepherd was second in the mini-javelin, third in the 800 and fifth in the 1,500. Emily Houtz was second in the 3,000 and third in the 1,500. Also grabbing silver was the 4×800-meter relay team of Kennadi Bauman, Ava Harris, Addie Parson and Margaret Rodenbaugh, who also ran the 400. Parson was fourth and Harris fifth in the 1,500.

Bronze medals went to Hunter Sheaffer in the javelin, Keegan Prendergast in the mini-javelin and Dillon Wert in the high jump. Sheaffer also ran the 800 and Prendergast added a sixth in the long jump.

Fourth-place finishers included Chase Sheaffer in the 1,500, Hoyt Rodenbaugh in the 800 and 400, and Jacee Cunningham in the mini-javelin. Sheaffer also was fifth in the javelin.

Sydney Houtz had a pair of sixths, in the discus and shot put, and ran the 800.